January Mastectomy

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  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited June 2010

    Been busy busy this last week or so....Debbie sounds like your off for a lovely vacation. Sounds beautiful.  

    Kat congratulations on the bra and nip appointment.  I'm waiting until Fall I think....unless my ps wants to go sooner.....I don't see him for a few more weeks.  Have nice time at the big bash in Chicago!  Looking forward to pictures in your formal attire :)

    Brenda I hope you feeling better and better......and Lyn I'm glad your boobage is finally settling in :)

    Robin hope you enjoy your trip too :) 

    Everyone seems to be traveling :)  DH, Smudge and I will go up to Cape Cod in September after the summer crowds have gone....we go every September and stay in a little cottage right on the water near Wellfleet.  I'm teaching botanical classes through June, then I teach nature journaling workshops in July...August is all mine.  I use August to work on my own drawings and paintings and catch up on things around the house.

    Feeling pretty good health wise...I'm a little shell shocked still about these new things on my chest.  They look fine...but still feel so foreign......ah well......

    Enjoy your weekend everyone....best to all,

    Laura 

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  • bookart
    bookart Member Posts: 564
    edited June 2010

    I hate bridges, btw.  Scared to death of the big ones.  I did my grad work in WI, but never made it to the UP (kind of busy).  I have taken the ferry to Mackinac Island - fun.  Wish I could make it up there to visit, but we'll be staying home the rest of the summer.  We take the dogs to the lake some weekend mornings - nice walk but it's getting pretty hot here in TX.  My garden is burning up.

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  • burley
    burley Member Posts: 631
    edited June 2010

    There will be no swimming for me this summer-I don't have the guts to go bald, and in a bathing suit with this TE's.  So, next summer it is!  If we had a pool, I would probably sneak in at night...

    All the traveling sounds beautiful.  We're staying home-I think the next camping trip is planned for Labor Day.  We go up north to get out of this crazy heat, and enjoy some pine trees. 

    All is well here-feeling totally normal.  That will change after chemo on Thursday.  I have a follow up appointment with my PS on Wednesday-I'm sure she's just gonna look at the foobs and ask me how everything is going.  Probably all of 5 minutes.  Oh to be a doctor and make $200 for 5 minutes of work!

    I hope everyone had a great weekend!  And Happy Father's Day to all the DH's...

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  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited June 2010

    Hey everyone !!  I am back from my Nashville trip.  It was a great time, but soooo hot.  Temps were in the mid-upper 90's the whole time..yuck.  I hate really hot weather.  I am a mid 70's kind of gal.  But, the trip was great.  Nashville looked beautiful.  If one was not aware that they had had a devestating flood 5 weeks prior, you would sure never know by looking around.  They have done a wonderful job of getting their city back in shape.  Everyone involved in the festival was very friendly and helpful.  It was a fun "girls" trip.  We are planning to go again next year.

    I have been reading to catch up.  Seems like everyone is doing pretty well right now.  Kim, I'm glad you had an easier time with your last chemo.  I'll keep my fingers crossed that the next two go smoothly also. 

    I think I have decided to get nipples done.  I was adamant when I first had surgery that I would absolutely do them, then a couple of months after bmx, I started changing my mind.  But, now I am back to wanting them.  I think I will see my PS end of July early August and see what we can set up.

    Bridges....ugh.....I HATE bridges !  I was on a road trip once with my mom and grandma.  We were driving from Detroit over to Toronto.  I had just taken over the driving and we hit this bridge, it seemed like it had no sides, I jsut about had a panic attack while trying to cross over it.  I seem to do alright if I am the passenger, but if I am driving it is horrible.

    I just sent my girls off to scout camp.  They will be gone everyday this week from 9-3.  I plan to get caught up on all of my reading.

    Has anyone heard from Donna and Marianne lately? 

    Never Surrender ! 

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  • pbebow
    pbebow Member Posts: 575
    edited June 2010

    Hello everyone, sounds like everyone is slowly coming back to us, Debbie and I were getting lonely!  haha!

    Kat, I can't wait to see pictures from your formal wedding!  Hope you had a great time!  

    Aw Kim, I'm sorry that you won't be able to swim this year...  I wore a bathing suit with my TE's at spring break and it really wasn't that bad, as much as I was sure that everyone was staring at them, I don't think anyone did...  it was me staring at all of the other ladies' chests, they probably thought I was crazy!  haha!  Now the baldness, I can't help you with that... but if you wear a wig, I'd think that you could at least wade in a little?  I don't know, maybe not, I am just so sorry for you.  I hope that you don't have a rough time Thursday...   good luck!

    Glad that I'm not the only one that hates bridges!  Makes me feel a little better.

    Anyway, better go and clean up the kitchen and take care of groceries!

    Paula

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  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited June 2010

    Morning January ladies,

    I found a good link on free weights after mastectomy.  Like so many things in bc there seems to be so many mixed opinions....never ever exercise.....yes exercise.....arghhhhh!!!!!  So this article seems to take the middle road.  http://cchealth.clevelandclinic.org/be-well-enews/lifting-weights-after-mastectomy-now-encouraged 

    I find that my right peck is much snugger than my left peck. This has been true even pre bc because I am right handed and pretty physical with gardening, housework etc. I want to go back to free weights and yoga...judiciously. I don't want to do too much of anything...don't want to mess up my implant position but I don't want to turn to flab either.  If anyone has any ideas about yoga or free weights or any other favorite way to keep the body toned without risking any problems I would love to hear it :)  I know with my yoga to stay away from down dog, which I love(I will modify it), plank pose, etc. any pose that puts too much weight bearing on the arms.

    Welcome back Sally, congratulations on your nip decisions...I'm still waffling between nips and/or 3D tats.  My ps is ready to talk about nips during my next appointment (in a few weeks) I've asked him to show me pictures of some he has done....we'll see what he has to show me :)

    Hope everyone is doing well and feeling well.........

    Wishing all strength and healing,

    Laura 

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited June 2010

    Morning, Team-uarys!!

    Here's a view from Eagle Harbor, Ephraim WI.

    (Ephraim is the Moravian word for 'faith')

    Laura. It's so brilliant for you to bring up yoga this morning. Last summer I was part of a two day a week yoga class up here & I love the instructor. She is 63 and built like a petite brick house. Solid. Like you can't imagine solid. She's a 5 year BC survivor.

    Anyhow, I didn't think I was up to the level of the class & so I stopped by at the end this morning and have set up with her to have private sessions. We will start a week from today. We ended up talking for about half an hour. She will be my therapist, coach, yogi-guru, personal trainer & sounding board.

    Her knowledge of the body, mind and spirit is amazing. I already feel better, just having spoken with her. As I told her of the last five months of my journey, she said, "If you'll excuse my French, Life is just so fu*king relentless, isn't it?"

    My heart leapt with joy to have such an apt description. She will be brilliant for my mind & body!!

    I will let you know what she suggests for my situation.

    xx00xx00xx00xx

    Strength and courage.

    Strength and courage.

    Strength and courage.

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  • pbebow
    pbebow Member Posts: 575
    edited June 2010

    Debbie, that is great that you'll have her there for your body and mind!  Laura, good for you!  I did a work out dvd yesterday, felt pretty good after I got all out of breath and sweaty, sadly, I didn't do it today for some reason, but the day isn't over yet!  I still could!  We'll see!

    Here is a picture of my DD on Father's Day having a ball!

    Photobucket

    Oh, to have that much energy!!!

    Have a great day ladies!

    Paula

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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited June 2010

    Energy?  Do we remember what energy even feels like? 

    I managed to do a mile on the Gazelle last night...and it took almost 17 minutes!  Not up to a real workout yet.  I know they say as exhausted as we are that exercize will actually help give us more strength and energy.  I think I'm doing good to get through a day fo work right now.

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  • burley
    burley Member Posts: 631
    edited June 2010

    I haven't exercised in forever-pulling weeds is about as much as I do.  But I give myself a break since I'm going through chemo.  I do plan on starting up again on my eliptical machine as soon as chemo is over and I get my strength back!  I'm skinny fat-a term I heard somewhere that describes me to a tee.  I look skinny in clothes, but I'm mushy.  That sounds disgusting, huh?

    Stocked up on groceries today in case I feel like crap after Thursday.  Holy crap, was it hot!  Wore my wig and my head was sweating underneath it.  Probably time to wash it.

    Beautiful pic, Debbie!  And what a cutie, Paula-she does look like she has tons of energy.  The pool looks very inviting!

    Have a great evening, ladies!

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  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited June 2010

    Debbie looks like you've found a little piece of heaven :)  Can't wait to hear what your yogi shares with you...it's so nice to think about moving forward :)

    Paula your daughter is a delight!  What a wonderful photo...must have been great Father's Day. :)

    bc energy will return......may take a while but it will :)

    Kim, I love working in the garden most of all....I prefer my weights to be flower pots, mulch bags and trugs of weeds :)  The first exercise I felt I could do was in my garden....it's also wonderful therapy.  My DH started weeding during my recovery...he is a weeding addict now and loves it, now that's a surprise :)

    I found this link on Exchange City with exercises that may be helpful to some of us ...

    http://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/PAL_guidelines.pdf

    Healing and strength to all,

    Laura

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  • pbebow
    pbebow Member Posts: 575
    edited June 2010

    Laura, you and your husband are crazy!!!  I hate weeding!!! haha!!!  My husband has been bugging me the last two days about hoeing my garden!  Auugggh!  Guess I might have to do it today, just to get him off my back!  And my poor flowers still sitting in their flats, dieing!  I am so bad!  I went to plant one day and the first hole I dug produced hundreds of creepy little pincher bugs!  Ew!!!  So, then I started investigating and they were all through my flower beds.  So my DH sprayed them for me the other day and said that I could plant now but I'm still a little creeped out by them!  Guess I'm gonna have to do it soon though or just throw them out, they're looking very sad!

    Kim, Laura is right, you're energy will return... just start off slowly.  I know that I didn't have chemo but I feel so much weaker then I was before.  I do something or try to lift something and there is just no strength!  I hate it... that's why I have to force myself to go and hoe my garden and plant my flowers and go and do my exercise dvd!  My daughter just told me that I have to do yesterdays exercises and todays since I skipped yesterday!  Oh boy, guess I'd better get on it!

    Have a great day ladies!  Debbie, don't over do it!!!  10 miles is awesome!!!!

    Paula

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited June 2010

    Great to see what energy looks like in action.

    Maybe somehow we can channel into that inexhaustible supply.

    I finally got it together to blog-on about the little foreign-language kindergarten girl & what she 'did' with the lyrics to my song/book. If you need a little smile & have a minute, take a look. It's great to see the impact that we can have on others.

    Here's the link: http://rainbowswithinreach.blogspot.com/

    It's been pouring here this morning, so I think that's nature's way of telling me to rest from the biking today.

    xx00xx00xx00xx

    Ever onward team...... onward toward wellness!!!

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  • burley
    burley Member Posts: 631
    edited June 2010

    Just typed a long entry, then my internet logged off...aaargh!

    Sitting here at chemo #7-only 1 more to go after this.  Just think, 3 more weeks and I will be DONE!  Yea me!

    I'm the only bald person in here today.  It's amazing how some people are able to keep their through this.  Bottom eye lashes are gone except for 2 or 3 on each eye.  Top lashes are very thin, and not even worth putting mascara on.  It is nice to only have to shave my legs every 2 weeks-bonus!

    It's supposed to be 112 here in Arizona today-ugh.  And I have a black truck with leather seats-double ugh.

    Well, I hope everyone is enjoying their day!

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited June 2010

    KIM KIM KIM KIM KIM KIM KIM KIM

    Three cheers for you indeed.

    112 degrees.

    Wow. That's all I can think of to say to that.

    We're headed to the airport as I type.

    Headed to Alabama. I speak there on Sat.

    She's warned me about their heat & humidity.

    ye gads.

    I'll think of you in 112 and we'll likely be less than that.

    Of course, as they say about AZ, "it's a dry heat."

    Hope that your s.e. are as minimal as possible.

    You're nearing the finish line!!

    xx00xx00xx00xx

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  • Leah58
    Leah58 Member Posts: 159
    edited June 2010

    Kim, hurray, you are almost done!!  I don't like to wish time away but during chemotherapy, I wanted the time to fly by!  Hang in there, we are rooting for you!! 

    I live in the Pacific Northwest and we just hit over 75 degrees for the first time this week since last September.   We have natural air conditioning.  

    Take care!!

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  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited June 2010

    Kim - you are almost there !  Yeah !  I hope you have minimal se again this time.  Make sure to give us the date of your last one, so we can all celebrate with you when you finish !  

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  • grdnslve
    grdnslve Member Posts: 310
    edited November 2010

    yeah kim!!!!  i'm right behind you.  odd how when this all started, it seemed endless, overpowering.  and now it appears the time just flew by.  only 2 more radiation treatments left - yeah!!!!  and 5 more (weekly) chemo treatments.  i can do this!!!!  still have my fingernails, no eyelashes & no hair - sniff. 

    monday was our anniversary, so to celebrate (and because i was amping out about starting the weekly chemo treatments) we went to the casino.  i took $40 and won over $1000.  hubby wasn't so lucky, but we had such a good time, and i made enough to pay for the current hosp bill!  guess where we will be celebrating the finish of chemo!!!  maybe i will take $60 this time Laughing 

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  • bookart
    bookart Member Posts: 564
    edited June 2010

    OK, Leah - 75 is our low here in Texas.  Please stop bragging - it makes me cry.  You don't want to make me cry, do you?  Our high is obscene, although the weather teased us today with RAIN!  Basically, just a sprinkle, but nice anyway.   The heat tends to make my LE worse.  Bummer.

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  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited June 2010

    Great to read what you've all been doing the past few days....YIPPEE for you, Kim...only one more chemo session!!!  What a major milestone!!  And more decisions made by others!!  And more healings, and more milestones, and other therapies coming to an end.....and energies gradually rebuilding!!!!   How FAR we all have come....thank goodness!

    We got back today from our Mackinac Island trip...it was wonderful :)  We biked and biked and walked...so MUCH fun :)  Wish we could just bike everywhere all the time....it was 20 degrees cooler up there than at home, so that was pleasant, too! I wore my Relay "survivor's" shirt one day while biking and one lady rode by and said "congratulations"....at first, I didn't realize why she was saying that, and then she quickly explained, "the shirt"....that was cool!  Most of the time I usually forget, until I feel the swollen armpits or sides, or look in the mirror.

    Well, the 2nd friend who has had the BC scare this month is ok...but she's on careful monitoring.  She had a mass, but they just found atypical hyperplasia.  Unfortunately, she also has lupus, so she also has already had chemo in her past to treat that.

    Nothing new to report here....just checking in to say hi!!

    And if anyone ever wants a place to stay at Mackinac Island, we really liked Mission Point Resort..they offer really good deals, too!!!!  So check them out  ;-)

    blessings...robin

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  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited June 2010

    Lola - so good to hear from you !  2 rads, 5 chemo...when should this finish up?  Let us know, we want to celebrate with you !   Congrats on the casino winnings.  Sounds like a good way to spend your anniversary :)    

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  • pbebow
    pbebow Member Posts: 575
    edited June 2010

    Laughing I wanted to put an applauding smiley but I don't have one, so smiles will have to do!  I am so happy for you both, coming to the end of chemo!  You are such strong, beautiful women!!!  You put me to shame!!!!  I agree with Sally, please let us know your official day and we can all celebrate!!!

    Robin, sounds like a wonderful time at Mackinaw!!!  Happy for you!!!!

    I finally hoe'd my garden yesterday and mowed my lawn!  That's a good accomplished feeling!  This morning we are going to plant what's left of my flowers... bought them last week and now some are dieing!  Sigh...   I never get to planting soon enough... oh well...  And then a day by the pool (watching the kids swim in our little pool, 16' x 42")...  The DIL-to be is bringing the grands down later to swim and talk wedding stuff.  

    Kat, still waiting for those black tie pics!!!!

    Have a great Friday ladies!

    Paula

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited June 2010

    We're safely in Alabama @ Auburn University.

    Oh, yeah, it's hot!!

    LOL

    Congrats to all those eeeeeeeking forward.

    Every little baby step counts as progress.

    xx00xx00xx00xx

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited June 2010

    P.S. I can't remember if I told you???

    Tomorrow I get to deliver the keynote for a conference of early childhood peeps.

    Big time for your little January friend.

    teeheeheeheeheeeeee

    The power keeps surging & threatening to go out.

    Yikes!

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  • burley
    burley Member Posts: 631
    edited June 2010

    Feeling fine so far after chemo-I usually start feeling like crap on Saturdays for some reason.  A lady finished yesterday, and the nurses gave her a certificate and all came over and clapped for-very nice.  All the chemo nurses are super nice-makes it a lot easier to be there.

    Congrats Debbie!  That's awesome-what an accomplishment.

    Lola-you're right behind me!  We can do it...we can do it Laughing

    I hope everyone has a great day-take care!

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  • pbebow
    pbebow Member Posts: 575
    edited June 2010

    Glad that you made it safely Debbie!  And very cool on the speaking thing!

    Hope that you skip your saturday SE this time Kim!

    Have a great evening!

    Paula

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  • bookart
    bookart Member Posts: 564
    edited June 2010

    Hope everyone has a great weekend with no SE and NO SWELLING! 

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  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited June 2010

    Kim congratulations!  and Lola you'll be done soon :)  Wishing you both quick recoveries :)

    Paula your flowers thank you for getting them into the ground! ;)  It does feel good to get it done :)

    Robin I'm glad you had a good time at Mackinaw...looks like a beautiful location :) 

    Hope your trip goes well Debbie...I forgot to tell you that I went to your website and enjoyed it so much.  I loved your striped sleeve....very Edward Scissorhands :)  

    I hope everyone is doing well.....I've been out of touch for a few days..between teaching, and World Cup I hardly have time to pee ;)

    Healing and comfort to all,

    Laura 

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited June 2010

    We are safely back in WI. My keynote went well! I concluded the hour with two minutes about my BC journey. I started crying in the midst of shifting from my frenetic, jumping, smiling "on" personna. The room got very silent..... Several cried along with me. Then they gave me a standing ovation. I claim the applause for all of team January -- for all that we have been thru.



    We can just keep putting one foot in front of the other. This was a very big opportunity for me..... There I was in my compression sleeve, gaubtlet and body suit. My fluffies compressed so that I looked like a 10 year old. Good thing my message doesn't have anything to do with cleavage.



    VERY humbling, yet truly affirming. Have gotten a whole series of messages already, of support & encouragement.



    I'm very fortunate to have another chapter.



    Thanks to all here for urging me forward.



    xx00xx00xx00xx

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2010

    Kim and Lola, it is so good to hear you ladies are coming to the end of chemo.  It sure seems like a long time since January, when we all began here.

    Robin sounds like you had a wonderful time at MacInac island, good for you.

    Debbie congratulations on your latest accomplishment, WOW! keynote speaker.  I think we all need to come hear you speak somewhere.  I bet you are quite inspiring to hear.

    I am still dealing with healing challenges with my abdominal incision.  Most of my days are spent waiting for the homecare nurses to come to change my dressing.  I wish I wasn't so queasy about it and could do it myself.  I will be going back to surgeon in Toronto on Wednesday and see what the next steps are to be.  I am getting a little frustrated though, because we were to be going for a family reunion camping trip and then on to a wedding in Ottawa.  So everything is kind of on hold, until I know what my next steps will be. At the same time, I keep telling myself, things could be worse. It just need to take time.

    Have a great day ladies

    Take Care

    Cathy

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